SB319 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rusty Glover

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

University of South Alabama, president authorized to employ police officers, duties

Summary

SB319 would authorize the University of South Alabama President to appoint campus police officers with duties and powers to protect university property and enforce laws on campus.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the university president could appoint police officers to protect university property, eject trespassers, and arrest offenders under state law. Officers may transport arrested individuals to the nearest district or municipal court, and they must cooperate with Mobile and Fairhope authorities. Their authority would be statewide, but their primary duty is enforcing laws on university property, with limited exceptions to pursue or arrest on campus; and they may not enter classrooms to enforce traffic or parking citations.

Who It Affects

• University community (students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors) who would be subject to campus police enforcement on university property.
• Local law enforcement in Mobile and Fairhope, which would coordinate with the university police and share overlapping jurisdiction within the municipalities' police boundaries.

Key Provisions

• The President of the University of South Alabama may appoint and employ suitable persons to serve as police officers to protect university property and grounds.
• Officers shall have all duties and powers of police officers on university property; they may eject trespassers and arrest offenders, transporting them to the nearest district or municipal court.
• Officers must cooperate with and assist Mobile and Fairhope authorities when requested, with their jurisdiction coextensive with the municipalities' police jurisdictions; their authority extends to any place in the state, but primary duty is enforcement on university property.
• The authority of these officers is cumulative and not intended to limit other police powers; they cannot enter classrooms to enforce traffic or parking citations.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage/approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

University of South Alabama